Wednesday 27 November

Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28; Canticle of Daniel 3:4-6; Luke 21:12-19

Persecution of Christians

Jesus warns his disciples that they will be persecuted for their faith in him. They will suffer, perhaps terribly. Here in New Zealand we may have memories of the occasional insult and some discrimination against Catholics. But it is nothing compared to what our brothers and sisters are undergoing in many countries around the world today. In Syria and Iraq, in Egypt, in Pakistan and India, as well as many other countries, there is real persecution unfolding. This passage from Luke should encourage us to pray regularly for Christians suffering persecution in our times.